Good morning, friends! 

This is a super exciting day in our city.
It is a joy to welcome people from far and wide. I know throughout the course of this weekend, we will have many visitors from the region and from beyond. We also have these crews from Norfolk, from Baltimore, and all the way from the Netherlands. Let's welcome our guests and thank them for coming here for these celebrations. 
 

The James River, in so many ways, is the lifeblood of our city today, but it has been for hundreds and hundreds of years. It has played an incredibly important role in the history of our Commonwealth and the history of our entire country. This whole year, as we acknowledge the 250th anniversary of our country, that means a lot of things here in Richmond. It is part celebration.
It is part wrestling with the complexity of our past. It is part inspiration for how we continue to form a more perfect union for the next 250 years. I have lived here in this great city of Richmond for 26 years, and a huge part of what has fueled my love for this place is the way that Richmond does not shy away from its past.
Our city is steeped in history. I think the greatness of our city, our beauty, our diversity, and the richness of Richmond are a direct result of the honest reckoning that we have done and been doing for decades here.  

SailFest is yet another example of how we grapple with the fullness of that history and ultimately become a stronger city because of it. As we stand here on the banks of the James River, we celebrate the fact that we would not be here had it not been for the arrival of ships like these so many years ago. We also recognize that the history of ships sailing up the James River here to Richmond is really complicated.  

When Captain Christopher Newport sailed here from Jamestown in 1607, he planted a cross on the hill, and with that began years of persecution of the land's original inhabitants, the Powhatan. Centuries before the Europeans arrived on these shores, remember that dugout canoes carried families and food and tools and traded goods between villages and tribes. We must remember that when these ships first sailed up the James more than 400 years ago, this land was not a wilderness waiting to be settled. It was already a vibrant network of relationships, of economic activity, and of community. Just like today, our river connected people. The Powhatan welcomed these new European settlers in their most vulnerable moment and taught them how to survive in this new environment. Ultimately, as greed gave way to war and violence, within a generation, most of the tribes between the York and the James River were decimated. Too many of the land’s first inhabitants in the place that we now call Richmond were lost to history.  

In the years to follow, the James River would carry thousands of enslaved Africans into the city.
Right across the river here, thousands of kidnapped men, women, and children arrived at Ancarrow’s landing, and walked along the riverbank, eventually making their way to Shockoe Bottom, where they were confined, tortured, and sold into a life of slavery. In the 19th century, Richmond became one of the largest slave hubs in the United States. So many enslaved Africans came through Richmond, that even today, it is believed that one in four Black Americans can trace their roots back to our city.  

Throughout all of this time, the river and the ships that traveled along it were also a source of commercial development for Richmond, and of freedom. George Washington oversaw the building of the Kanawha Canal along the James River, which was the first operating canal system in the US. That canal connected Richmond and other Eastern cities to the Western United States, and it expanded travel and commerce from our city and for the nation as a whole. In the years to follow, Black and Irish laborers would endure dangerous conditions to expand that canal and grow our city's economy by helping transport flour and tobacco and coal and people, both free and enslaved, up the treacherous falls of the James and ultimately around the world. 
 

If you look at our City's flag, you will see a faceless boatman, a boatman that represents the unsung heroes -- the boatman of the James -- that transported goods along the river, and were such an important part of our city's early economy. It's believed that, at one point, up to 98% of these boatmen were men of color, and that the river was actually a source of freedom for these men and their families, both figuratively and literally. Not only did the river provide an avenue for enslaved boatmen to travel without the harsh supervision of their masters, but they were also known to help transport slaves to freedom by picking up freedom seekers along their journey, and taking them to ships here in Richmond that would ultimately carry them north.
I think these Black boatmen were the epitome of our country's founding ideals of liberty and justice for all. With great bravery and wisdom, they turned the same river that brought their ancestors into a life of slavery into a pathway to freedom. I'm so proud that they are represented at the center of Richmond's flag, which is a representation of their legacy, but also of our aspiration to live up to it as a city. 
 

Now, while the tall ships that we see today aren't the same vessels that ushered in the difficult parts of Richmond's conflicted past, they do allow us to reflect on that past, and to celebrate the progress that we've made, but also to acknowledge the work that we have yet to do. We have been working to live up to that promise of freedom and equality for 250 years, but we are still working on it. The work to create a truly democratic nation rooted in equality remains unfinished. 

I welcome you all again to SailFest, because this is an incredible once in a generation opportunity to tour these beautiful ships, to learn from live performances and reenactments and exhibits that will allow us to engage with and reflect on our complex history over the last 250 years. This event has come together with the work of many, many hands. I just want to say thank you to Sail Virginia, to the crews of these fantastic ships, the Oosterschelde, the Pride of Baltimore, and the Virginia.  

I want to say a special thank you to Jamie and your team at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. 
We are so grateful for the work that you all do for our city and for the entire state, telling the fullness of Virginia's story. I want to offer a massive thank you to the United States Army. It took so much coordination and effort to get these floating docks out here so that these ships could dock. I want to thank the Army certainly for their involvement in this event, but more importantly to your sacrifice and service to our great nation. Lastly, I want to thank my colleagues here in the city of Richmond, who, along with Sail Virginia and the History Museum, put in so many hours of planning and physical labor, and set up the infrastructure that's needed to bring the tall ships here and to make this event a success.  

I cannot wait for thousands and thousands of Richmonders to get to experience this over the next few days, and then to see how that work will seed the future of Richmond, to make us a stronger and more resilient and more beautiful city over the next 250 years. Thanks so much, everybody. 

Thriving and inclusive communities

Mayor Avula applauded the passage of RES. 2026-R033, which directs the administration to establish a Trust Policy. A trust policy defines the ways the City of Richmond interacts with the federal government, including clarifying and limiting the ways information is shared between local and federal governments and codifies the City’s existing practice that anyone, regardless of status, is entitled to safety and access to city services.

“I am grateful to Councilmember Nicole Jones’ and many others who have committed to developing the City’s Trust Policy. Many cities around the country have used a Trust Policy to build the level of trust in the way that their government serves immigrant communities. By clearly defining how information is shared and safeguarded, we are reinforcing our commitment to safety and dignity for all of our residents. I look forward to sharing more about the Trust Policy in the coming weeks,” said Mayor Danny Avula.

“This resolution represents meaningful progress in ensuring our immigrant communities feel protected and respected,” said Councilmember Nicole Jones. “The Trust Policy is just the beginning. Mayor Avula and his administration understand that saying we are an inclusive, welcoming city that prioritizes safety isn’t enough. We have to build the infrastructure so that trust can flow freely, nourishing everything we do in the city.”

A thriving and sustainable built environment

Solar ordinances

“I’m disappointed in the outcome of tonight’s actions on the solar ordinances. We had an extraordinary opportunity before us to reduce the City’s long-term energy costs, increase the use of renewable energy, and advance Richmond’s commitment to a more sustainable and resilient built environment through a solar power purchase agreement. We listened to hours of testimony from both experienced subject matter experts and ordinary residents who agreed that our proposal was good for the environment, good for taxpayers, and good for the City of Richmond. It is extremely unfortunate that the majority of Council was not able to find a way to saying yes to this opportunity.

Despite that, it was incredibly inspiring to see so many climate and renewable energy advocates such as the Community Climate Collaborative, Bridging the Gap, the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Southside ReLeaf, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Climate Changemakers RVA, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and many others come out and support the City’s RVAgreen 250 goals. The future of Richmond is in amazing hands with these advocates like these.

Actions have consequences, and City Council’s action tonight will make it harder to achieve the City's sustainability goals.” — Mayor Danny Avula

Master Plan Amendments

City Council also approved three Mayor Avula-sponsored amendments to Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth Master Plan (“Master Plan”). Together, the amendments bring major citywide planning efforts under Richmond’s Master Plan. They include:

• ORD. 2026-208: The Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan (CHSP), which establishes goals for identifying, recognizing, and safeguarding the City’s cultural and historic assets.
• ORD. 2026-209: The Richmond Connects Strategic Plan, which creates safer, more equitable multi-modal transportation plans for Richmonders
• ORD. 2026-210: Richmond INSPIRE, the master plan for the City’s parks and recreational spaces, which creates a transparent, community-driven vision for parks and recreational spaces in the City

"These amendments matter because they will become a part of how we evaluate whether policies, city projects, or zoning changes align with the master plan. We have abundant historic and cultural resources in Richmond, and the Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan will help us identify the cultural resources that we haven't yet documented or recognized for their significance to our community," said Commissioner Burt Pinnock, City of Richmond Planning Commission.

“Richmond has been delivering on its mission to create safer streets for everyone, particularly vulnerable populations. The ability to have a car-lite or car-free lifestyle is a building block of equitable transportation, which is why you’ll continue to see RDOT prioritize access for people walking, using transit, and riding bikes and scooters,” said Andy Boenau, Director, RDOT. “We’re proud to be delivering projects that reflect a thriving city.”

“Richmond INSPIRE gives our community a shared vision for the future of parks, recreation, and public spaces, one shaped by the voices and aspirations of Richmond residents,” said Chris Frelke, Director of Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “Incorporating INSPIRE into Richmond 300 makes that vision part of how we plan, invest, and build a stronger, more connected Richmond for generations to come."

Thriving Families

Constitutional Amendments

On Council’s passage of RES. 2026-R032, Mayor Avula said, “I am so proud to support this resolution. Richmond is a city for all people, and it is incredibly important that the Constitution of the Commonwealth reflect that. Reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and voting rights for formerly incarcerated Richmonders are essential for dignity and equality.

Richmond voters, like all Virginia residents, will have the opportunity to vote on these three constitutional amendments during the General Election. To learn more, visit https://www.rva.gov/elections/nov-3-election

This weekend, Richmond lost an incredible leader, laborer, and friend. Jim Ukrop’s influence on the greater Richmond community has been profound. At a time when many business leaders found it easier to disengage from the city and its issues, Jim believed deeply in the importance of Richmond, and poured his time, energy, and resources into charting its course for the future.

I spent more than a decade on the Communities In Schools Board with Jim. I got to see firsthand his passion for supporting our school system and investing in our teachers, students, and families. In fact, Jim was one of the very first people to suggest to me that I should consider running for mayor one day—almost 12 years ago! While the idea seemed completely preposterous to me at the time, in this, and so many other things, Jim could often see what others could not. Richmond is a better city for it.

Jim poured himself into countless efforts, always helping open doors for others, and has had a tremendous hand in helping create the growing, vibrant Richmond of today. We celebrate a life well lived, and trust that Jim’s legacy of engagement, generosity, and compassion will inspire the next generation of community leaders in our city.

Hey Richmond, It’s your Mayor, Danny 

As mayor, my primary responsibility is the safety and wellbeing of Richmond Residents. 

As it relates to public safety, there are so many things we have gotten right –  

• community policing 
• neighborhood association partnerships 
• critical incident briefings about officer-involved shootings 
• cracking down on unregulated vape shops through Operation Vaporize 
• double digit reductions in major crimes... 

the list goes on  

Over the last year, the issue of how we use License Plate Reader Technology, and particularly our relationship with a company called Flock has been an increasing issue of public concern, here in Richmond, and across the nation.   

I have been very consistent about saying that our choice to use this technology is because i believe the benefits to public safety outweigh the risks it poses to our community 

But I have also been very consistent about saying that it is not a closed issue, and that I will always remain open to hearing from the people of Richmond on it   

I think the shift in public sentiment around Flock, particularly acute in the last couple of months, requires us to reevaluate our relationship with Flock. 

I don’t know exactly what that looks like right now, but I want to figure that out, together, with Richmonders, with our City Council, and with our partners in the State Legislature.  

I wanted to reassure you all that this is a topic I am thinking about regularly, and share with you a bit about how I'm thinking about this. 

Here are some things I believe:  

I believe that Flock, and automatic license plate reader – or ALPR -  technology in general, is a legitimately useful tool that the Richmond Police Department uses to help keep our communities safe and solve crimes. 

I believe that there are real privacy concerns with both ALPR technology generally and with Flock, Richmond’s current vendor 

I believe, in Richmond, the communities who actually benefit most from this technology are often those who are disproportionately impacted by violent crime. 

I believe that people of color can often be over-policed and over-surveilled. 

I believe that the City of Richmond, and RPD, have been leaders in adopting and following the guardrails set out by the Commonwealth 

I believe that, if we’re going to use this technology, we've got to have the proper guardrails in place, and we must be transparent with the public when those guardrails are violated. 

I believe that at the state level, the Commonwealth of Virginia is an important partner in protecting the privacy of residents. My team and I will continue to advocate for that at the General Assembly this year. 

And I believe this is a complex issue that people feel strongly about across the board. My job is to keep people safe, to listen well to our communities, and to navigate this thoughtfully.  

So here’s what I’m committing to do.  

First, we’re going to review the technology itself and our relationship with Flock. That includes exploring other options and asking whether there are other technology vendors that can provide the public safety benefits we need while better addressing the concerns some Richmonders have raised; we still have another year on the contract so I will need some time on that 

Second, we’re going to listen and learn.  In the coming weeks, I plan to gather resident feedback in a variety of forums. It’s important to me that we hear from a broad cross-section of Richmonders, as well as our elected City Council.  

Third, we will take another look at our oversight and transparency, including whether an independent third party should come in and look at our current policies and procedures.  

Fourth, effective immediately, I am directing that RPD reduce their ALPR data retention policy from its current 21 days down to 7 days. 

What I hear and learn in this listening process will inform our path forward.   

Appreciate you all taking the time to listen to this, more to come soon.   

The project is expected to generate renewable electricity for municipal operations and reduce the amount of electricity the City purchases from Dominion Energy. Based on preliminary projections, the installations are anticipated to produce approximately 7.75 GWh (7,750,000 kWh) annually and result in an estimated net energy costs savings of $19.4 million over 25 years. Final savings will depend on the engineered system design and the future pace of utility rate increases. 

“As a father, a pediatrician, and Mayor, I believe our local government has a responsibility to build a more sustainable Richmond for generations to come. I’m excited for the practical way this program helps us do our part to address the climate crisis, lower our energy costs, and be smart with taxpayer dollars. The due diligence that we've put into building this out over the past few months will be worth it," said Mayor Danny Avula. 

In addition to projected energy savings, the proposal supports the City’s broader efforts to improve the performance and resilience of its facilities. Investing in renewable energy at City-owned buildings can help reduce exposure to changing energy costs while demonstrating how municipal infrastructure can support long-term environmental and fiscal goals.

Aligning with Pillar 6 of the Mayor’s Action Plan (MAP), “A thriving and sustainable built environment planned for future generations” the proposed ordinances provide meaningful ways to support a more sustainable, resilient, and forward-looking city.

“This introduction represents a major milestone in the complex balance between lowering energy costs and ensuring appropriate protections for the City from unnecessary risks and liability,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “This legislation represents significant reduction in costs that would’ve ultimately been passed along to residents, as it offers us an opportunity to make strides toward our sustainability goals, while also giving us new grounds to demonstrate our commitment to continuous quality improvement.” 

The proposed ordinances also advance the goals of RVAgreen 2050, Richmond’s Climate Equity Action Plan, which establishes targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan identifies buildings and energy as a key pathway for improving energy efficiency, performance, and resilience.

“Exploring the installation of solar panels on these city-owned buildings represents an important opportunity to advance Richmond’s sustainability goals while taking a thoughtful look at the long-term value of our public assets, said Laura Thomas, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “By evaluating how renewable energy can be incorporated into our facilities, we can identify opportunities to reduce energy costs, strengthen resilience, create local clean energy jobs, and support a more sustainable future for our city. This potential project reflects our commitment to finding innovative solutions that benefit Richmond residents for years to come.”

The proposed installations remain subject to City Council consideration and approval, as applicable. Additional project details, including final site assessments, system capacity, implementation timelines, contracting arrangements, and projected financial savings, will be provided as the ordinance advances.